OUR STORY: Starting Out

In 1983 my father Derek Greasley discovered a burnt-out gas station along Hwy 400 just north of Port Severn. We would drive this way every summer to visit family on Gibson, now known as Wahta Mohawk Territory.
It was during one of those trips that both my parents Derek and Gloria Greasley discovered an opportunity to build something on a busy highway that had the potential for success. In 1983 Derek Roberts Take-Out Restaurant was built serving home cooked burgers and fries. Shortly after 2 gas pumps and a small kiosk was added. At this time, the highway was Highway 69 with only two lanes, plans to change it to Hwy 400 with the addition of 4 lanes was planned but still a long way away.

Over the next few years, the restaurant sales increased, more pumps were added, and Pioneer fuels came in so we were no longer an “independent” gas station. As you can see by the image (poor quality, it’s the only one we could find) we did upgrade the look of the building in the early 1990’s, added a foyer and some outdoor seating. Over time a bait and tackle shop and Up North Outfitters additions were added. Petro Canada became the new fuel offering along with a gasoline canopy, expanded convenience store and gift shop.

In early 1999 we were approached by the Ministry of Transportation and told that we were being expropriated in other words they no longer wanted direct access to businesses from a Highway 400 series highway. Our last day in business was…. (no one in our family seems to remember so we are still working on this)

The good news was that we had purchased land in Waubaushene and acquired a lease for another piece of land that we are currently on. Fast forward five long years of waiting for permits, construction, planning, architects, engineers etc. the NEW Derek Roberts was finally in place. We opted to continue with the convenience store and gas station offering and were confident we could attract new tenants for the additional space that was available at this location.

The new Derek Roberts and Esso branded gas station opened their doors on boxing day December 26, 2004. Subway, Country Style, and The Lazy Loon Gift Co. also opened its doors in 2006/07.

In 2020 we chose to move the Country Style into the convenience store and use the available space for something new. Alas Rise to Fries was born, well at least conceptually as covid created a conundrum for anyone trying to open a new business! We have finally made it and an opening date will be sometime in May 2021.